Rack for towels and the like



0t.15,1937. V.F. HOLDEN 2,094,655

RACK FOR TOWELS AND THE LIKE Filed March 31, 1936 INVENTOR.

VII/IA E HOL0N BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 5, 1937 Z,ti,655

NT rip RACK FQR TOWELS AND HE LIKE A Vivia. 'F. Holden, Englewood, Colo. Application March 31, 1936, Serial No.-71,861

4 Claims.

This invention relates, to improvements in racks for supporting towels and similar articles. It is an object of' this invention to producea rack of simple and substantial construction that 5. can be made at a small cost and quickly and easily secured in position.

Another object of:this invention is to produce a. rack of such construction that it can be made of any desired capacity by adding or subtracting units.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a rack having means for positively holding a towel or the like against slipping and permitting ready withdrawal of the same for use.

5 The invention, briefly described, consists of a plurality of units, each comprising two flat metal bars of substantially the same shape attached to each other at their centers in such a way that towels or other similar articles can be inserted between the bars, which will separate to receive them. The bars have an offset portion at their middle point which serves the double function of spacing them from a supporting surface and interconnects the several bars and units.

Having thus briefly described the invention and its objects, the construction will now be described in detail, and reference for this purpose will be had to the accompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, looking in the direction of arrow l in Figure 2;

, Figure 2 is a top plan view, looking in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation, similar to that shown in Figure l and shows a slightly modified construction;

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the modification shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5is a section taken on line 55, Figure 3.

In the drawing reference numeral 5 indicates a supporting surface, such as a kitchen or bathroom wall. The rack illustrated in Figures 1 and 45 2 consists of three units A, B and C, each unit comprising two flat metal bars 6, 1; Ga, la; 61), lb. The two bars of each unit are of the same shape, and the only variation is that which is made necessary by the nesting of the central offset portions.

Bar 6 of unit A Has an offset central portion 8 connected by inclined sections 9 with the straight arms iii. The ends of arms H! are curved as indicated at H.

Bar 1 of unit A is of such size and shape that it conforms to the shape of bar ii with its central portion nested in the depression formed between the inclined ends 9 and the bottom 8. The ends Ila of bar 1 are curved reversely with respect to the ends II of bar 8 so as to facilitate the inser- '5 tion of the towels; V

The unit B, comprising the bars 5a and la, are related to each other in the same way as the bars of unit A and their central oiiset portions, corresponding to sections 8 and 9 of bar 6, are merely varied in size so as to efiect a nesting of the parts in the manner shown in Figure 2. The arms It of unit B are inclined so as to space them from the corresponding arms of unit A. Unit C is related to unit B in the same manner as unit B is related to unit A, and if more units are added, the same relationship applies. The parts 8 of bars 6 and l of each unit can be spot welded so as to hold them in assembled relation. The parts 3 of the spacing members or central offset portions are provided with holes, symmetrically spaced relative to the centers of the parts 8, for the reception of screws 5 2 by means of which the assembly of units are attached to the support 5.

In the assembly shown in Figure 2, another um't D can be added as indicated by dotted lines, in which case the radiating arms 59 cover substantially a semi-circle. By means of four units, assemblies having 2, 4, 6 or 8 arms can be provided as desired, and-a purchaser can buy as many or as few units as he needs.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5, the arms of the rack are spaced from the surface to which they are applied by means of a spacer I l, shaped in the form of a flanged bracket. The bars 6d and id have been shown as being straight, and in alinement with each other. The flanges E5 of the brackets are fastened to the wall or other support by means of screw l6. One of the bars is made integral with the bracket and the other bar or bars may be connected to the brackets by means of screws I3. It will be understood without further illustration, that at opposite sides of the bracket the bars may converge as in Figure 2, and that any number of bars may be attached to the same bracket in diverging relation to each other. It will also be evident that if so desired, all the bars may be made separate from the bracket and attached thereto by means of the screws or other similar means.

In all of the constructions hereinabove described, it will be understood that the complementary supporting sections are composed of some resilient material which will permit the same to be spread apart to receive a towel or the 55 like, after which the sections will exert a clamping action on the same to hold it against slipping.

When the user desires to withdraw the towel, it is readily released by drawing the same toward the free ends of the supporting members.

From the above it will be apparent that the rack illustrated and described is of a very simple, substantial and pleasing appearance, and that it can be constructed at a small cost and easily installed for use.

Changes and modifications may be availed of within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:- p

1. A towel rack comprising a plurality of clamping units, each having two resilient clamping members arranged in superposed relation, the several members and units being connected intermediate their ends, the ends of the members of each unit being relatively movable, the ends of the several units radiating from the middle point, and means at the middle of the assembly for spacing it from a support.

2. A towel rack comprising a clamping unit formed from two resilient bars of substantially the same size and shape, each bar having an ofiset portion at its middle point, providing means for spacing the ends of the bar from a support, the offset portion of one bar nesting in the corresponding portion of the other, the offset portions being connected to each other, the ends of the bars being free to spread to form clamps.

3. A towel rack comprising a plurality of clamping units, each unit comprising two resilient strips, each having an offset portion between its ends, the ofiset portion of one strip providing means for spacing it from a support, the oifset portion of the other strip of the unit nesting in the offset portion of the first, the ofiset portion of the next unit nesting in the corresponding portion of the first unit, the ends of the several units being angularly spaced, so as to radiate from a center, and means for securing the offset portions together to form an assembly.

4. A towel rack comprising a plurality of units, each formed from two flat bars of resilient material, means for holding the bars of each'unit in alinement, and means for interconnecting the several units at a point intermediate their ends, the units radiating from the point of interconnection, the planes of the bars being parallel with the axis from which they radiate.

VIVIA F. HOLDEN. 

